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FOR
NEWCOMERS
About St. Paul's Church
We are so glad you decided to visit.
You have come to a parish of many diverse and affirming people. We benefit from both an urban and suburban location. We invite you to return often and to get to know us better.
As an Episcopal Church, we are members of the worldwide Anglican Communion. That means you will find us using tradition, scripture, reason and experience as ways to worship and know God. We also appreciate beauty as a way of knowing God - in our building, our music and our liturgy. We hope that you find yourself drawn closer to God through these forms, too.
The following link provides an explanation of our principal form of worship, the Holy Eucharist. You will also find a recording of one of our recent weekly services on our Listen to Music page.
What happens on Sundays?
Sundays at St. Paul’s offer many opportunities for worship, spiritual formation and fellowship for parishioners of all ages. We have three distinct worship services every Sunday from September through June and two during the summer. We welcome the participation of children in all our liturgies. In addition to childcare, we have comfort rooms in the church for use during services. Each week, teams of parishioners serve a fully cooked breakfast and we gather for a social hour after the principal service.
Click here for our complete Sunday schedule
Activities and Events
In addition to Sunday worship and spiritual formation, we also have many weekday programs. There are Bible study and spiritual formation events, outreach ministries like cooking for people with HIV/AIDS and hosting guests who stay with us as part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network, adult and junior choirs and committees working on everything from finances and education to communications and sustainability.
Questions?
Perhaps you've visited us and would like to learn more about participation at our church. If so, we'll be happy to help you find the answers you need and we will also be glad to meet and learn more about you. You can complete a pew card and place in the collection plate to request more information. You can also ask an usher or the clergy person who greets everyone at the end of the worship service. Everyone in the congregation will be delighted to meet you. Don't forget to come to breakfast or the social hour -- we're a friendly bunch! Finally, don't hesitate to call or e-mail us; here's a link to our Contacts page.
How do I become a member of the Episcopal Church?
Membership rests on a public affirmation of faith through the sacrament of Baptism. The Episcopal Church recognizes as members of the worldwide Body of Christ all persons who have been baptized in the name of the Trinity.
There are two ways to become a member of the Episcopal Church:
o by Baptism in an Episcopal congregation
o by reception or transfer as a baptized person
from another communion.
If you were Baptized in an Episcopal church, you remain a member of that parish until death or until your records are transferred to another parish. Beyond that there are different categories of membership in keeping the records of the parish.
A member who takes Holy Communion at least three times a year in the parish is counted as a communicant member.
A member is said to be in good standing if during the previous year he or she has been faithful in attending corporate worship and in praying, working, and giving for the spread of the kingdom.
Members 16 years of age and over are considered adult members.
What if I am a baptized or confirmed member of another church and wish to become an Episcopalian?
You may do this by presenting to the parish priest a letter of transfer, or a baptismal certificate. You will not be re-baptized.
After receiving instruction, you will be welcomed by the bishop as a confirmed member of the Episcopal Church.
How do I become a member of St. Paul's?
There are three avenues for becoming a member:
- Service of affiliation
Twice a year we recognize newcomers to St. Paul's with a special liturgy during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service.
- Transfer from another Episcopal Church
If you are a member of another Episcopal Church, i.e. baptized or confirmed in that church, your membership can be transferred to St. Paul's. To do this, we would write, with your permission, to your previous parish and ask for a Letter of Transfer. When the Letter of Transfer is received your records and membership are "officially" at St. Paul's. Anyone wishing to transfer into St. Paul's should contact the Parish Office at 215-242-2055.
- Confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church
If you are a baptized or confirmed member of another denomination and wish to become a member of St. Paul's your next step is to contact a member of the clergy about instruction.
Classes for adults seeking confirmation or reception in the Episcopal Church as well as reaffirmation are scheduled to coincide with the bishop's visitation to the parish. As part of that service the bishop will confirm and receive new members.
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